Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 457 The person behind the scenes
Despite being prepared, Thales was still on edge after Sackel appeared.

He still caught up with us.

The Knight of Punishment.

At this moment, he is the greatest threat in the dungeon.

Sacel's condition doesn't look good.

The knight was already in a disheveled state, and now his eyes were half-open and half-closed, as if he had been seriously injured by the flashbang. His once steady steps now required the support of both the wall and the weapon in his hand to stand properly, and his right shoulder was wrapped in a thick bandage, from which a patch of bright red blood seeped.

Even so, no one dared to underestimate him.

Sacel gritted his teeth, leaned against the wall, and stepped into the storage room.

Like a ferocious beast gradually emerging from the darkness.

"No, fucking..." Quick Rope nervously raised his crossbow, but Thales grabbed him before he could fire!
"calm."

Thales gripped the rope tightly, gritting his teeth as he spoke:
"not now."

Not only Thales and Quick Rope, but also Samir, Belletti, Nai and others looked very grim.

"Hahaha, 'Stop talking!'"

Naki snapped out of his daze and gave a bitter laugh.

“No,” Naki’s expression changed, scanning everyone around him:

"Everyone here has the right to tell me to shut up."

Naki raised his finger, trembling, and pointed it at the Knight of Punishment:
"except you."

“Sakel”.

Sackel stopped in his tracks.

He stood by the door, battered and bruised, looking at Naki, who seemed to have given up everything, with a bewildered and heartbroken expression. His gaze swept over his former colleagues, who were now listless and dejected.

The cell was quiet, with only the sounds of people breathing heavily or in pain.

Sacel shook his head slightly and looked away.

"Naki".

"you are tired."

The Knight of Punishment murmured softly, as if coaxing a child.

But Naki didn't appreciate it.

"Yes, I'm tired."

Naki retreated step by step, a bitter smile on his face, and said:
“I’ve had enough of your arrogance and haughtiness, Knight of Punishment.”

Sakel frowned.

“You neither want to tarnish the royal family’s reputation, nor can you bear to expose the true colors of us shameless traitors,” Naki’s breathing became increasingly rapid:

"You always want to find the most comprehensive solution."

He narrowed his eyes, his tone filled with despair:

"But do you think that by bearing all the blame alone, by holding up a collapsing pillar, by not tarnishing anyone's honor, by not damaging anyone's reputation, by remaining silent and carrying the burden alone, you have made a great sacrifice and done right by everyone?"

Sacel did not speak.

Barney remained kneeling on the ground, seemingly lost in thought, while Belletti looked tense, and Samir remained silent.

Naki began to tremble.

A few seconds later, the resentment that had been suppressed for countless years burst forth from his throat:

Fuck you!

"You damned bastard, proud Watchman Sacel!"

The shouts of cursing echoed in the storeroom, causing the torch in Samir's hand to flicker.

But no one spoke, including Sakel.

Looking at Sacel and the mentally broken Naki so close to him, Quick Rope swallowed hard and nervously nudged Thales:
"What did I tell you? I knew it! These lunatics are unreliable..."

However, Thales simply looked at the crowd with a complicated expression and remained silent.

Yes.

He gazed at the distraught Barney and the bewildered Naki.

However, if it weren't for these unreliable lunatics, we would have become part of the prison of bones long ago.

"You think you're protecting us, protecting those who have already passed away..."

Naki's eyes reddened, and he roared like a wild beast at the melancholy-faced Sakel:

"But you don't understand!"

Naki's voice gradually faded, but the difficulty and despair in his words became increasingly apparent:

"You alone sacrificed yourself for others and took responsibility, and you've become great, glorious, selfless, and heroic..."

The poor guard prisoner collapsed to his knees, his weapon and keys slipping from his hands at the same time.

"But you, this selfish self-proclaimed saint, have thrown all your endless self-blame, guilt, and torment back at us! You've made us play the ugliest roles on stage and face the painful realities you can't face!"

Naki hysterically pounded his chest:
"us!"

Sackel bowed his head in silence amidst the deafening accusations, as if he didn't exist in this world at all.

Naki seemed exhausted from cursing; he collapsed to the ground, his voice hoarse, muttering listlessly:

"You and Barney, you are both ruthless executioners who kill without shedding blood..."

These words sent a shiver down the spine of little Barney, who was kneeling on the ground.

Naki was heard sobbing as he said:
"The only difference is..."

"Big Barney makes us hate him..."

"You, you make us... hate ourselves."

Naki lowered his head, buried his face in his hands, and his shoulders trembled.

Several seconds later, Sackel finally raised his head in the almost endless silence.

He reached out his hand towards Naki in a daze, but trembled halfway through and slowly lowered it.

The past cannot be changed.

But at least...

Sakel turned his gaze away, seemingly unable to look at Naki any longer, and instead staggered step by step toward Thales.

This has made many people nervous!
"Barney, Barney, wake up!"

As Sacel drew ever closer, Belletti, the highest-ranking person after Barney Jr.—though long since stripped of his title—was in turmoil, anxiously calling out the vanguard's name, hoping the latter would take action.

But little Barney, kneeling on the ground, had a vacant look in his eyes and seemed not to hear.

Sacel glanced at Barney with a deathly look in his eyes, glancing at the brand on the latter's face, before looking away.

he's gone.

Sacel said to himself silently.

The resolute, unwavering, and invincible Vanguard Commander Quill Barney is no more.

He turned away dejectedly and continued on his way.

"Damn it!"

Belletti cursed and gave up on waking Barney.

He frowned as he looked back: apart from the dazed Naki, Cannon was kneeling on the ground sobbing in anguish, Brie was covering his head and closing his eyes tightly, and Tardin was looking sad and motionless.

The veins on Belletti's hands became increasingly taut.

No.

The truth of that year threw everyone, including him, into disarray. His deranged colleagues left him bewildered, and the man he once looked up to, Sacelle, now seemed like a complete stranger.

Behind them lay the bloodline of the radiant star they had sworn to protect—even though they had long since tarnished that mission.

What should he do?

Faced with his shattered guard colleagues and the ever-approaching Sacelle, after a few seconds of hesitation, Belletti, the last remaining member of the guard, finally made up his mind and raised his weapon.

"Nai, Samir, help me!"

He roused the still relatively normal Nai and the grave-faced Samir, attempting to organize a final defense.

Nai sighed and walked to his side.

Samir hesitated for a moment, then dropped his torch and raised his longsword.

Sacel continued to stagger forward, ignoring Belletti and the other two who were retreating as if facing a formidable enemy.

Thales slowly furrowed his brow, then slowly relaxed it.

"I understand, sir."

Belletti, holding an axe, blocked Thales's path and hissed at Sackel:

"You may not be the traitor, or at least not the only one. Perhaps you have your own reasons, and we have no right to criticize you anymore."

Belletti gritted her teeth and said:

“But no matter what happened back then... you can’t touch this child.”

With each step, Sacel's face was fully illuminated by the torches on the ground, making the brand on his forehead even more prominent.

“Look at them, Belletti.”

The Knight of Punishment looked sadly at Barney and Naki kneeling to one side, and shook his head with a sorrowful expression at their near-collapse.

"Believe me, bury everything here..."

“This is the best way.”

Sacel drew closer, the axe blade in his hand reflecting a cold light.

Seeing Belletti, who was in poor condition but still stood in front of him, Thales couldn't help but bite his lip.

Just then, the Knight of Punishment suddenly stopped.

Belletti, who was extremely nervous, let out a breath.

Sacel frowned and slowly turned around:
Little Barney, who was kneeling in a daze, reached out and weakly grabbed the knight's leg.

“Sakel, tell me.”

Little Barney, pale-faced, raised his head, his bloodshot eyes wide with a mixture of pleading and questioning:

"Why did my father do this to me?"

Barney seemed to have just woken up from a nightmare; he was dazed and his words were broken.
"Quail Barney, the second-in-command... what kind of person is he exactly?"

These words moved all the guard prisoners.

Even Sakel was momentarily stunned.

There was a few seconds of silence in the dungeon.

“He was a good man,” Sacelle said, lowering his gaze and reminiscing about a long-lost friend, his voice filled with respect.

"He was just born in the wrong era."

Barney was immediately taken aback.

After saying this, Sackel took a small step and shook off Barney's arm.

Little Barney was absorbed in Sackel's words. He was pulled by the latter and slowly slumped down, seemingly unaware of it.

Sakel was getting closer and closer to them, and they could even see the brand on his forehead.

This made Belletti increasingly nervous, and the fast rope pulled Thales backward.

"What should we do now?"

All that could be heard was Quick Rope gritting his teeth and whispering, "We can't win a fight, but we haven't even found an exit—where can we escape to?"

Yes.

How to do?
Where can we escape to?
Thales met Sacel's gaze and found only endless gloom in it.

Thales couldn't help but take a deep breath.

He suddenly remembered the other person trembling in the cage, hysterically muttering to himself as he looked at the unseen world.

I know you are testing me... but please believe me, I have never hesitated to sacrifice. I know this is what I must pay, whether it brings merit or sin, good or bad, and I will accept it calmly and never run away...

Thales recalled the other party's superb skills in dealing with the enemy decisively and efficiently while surrounded.

"I am a Royal Knight and Honorary Lord of the Star Kingdom! Executioner and Watcher of the Royal Guard, Protector of the Throne, Custodian of the Royal Treasury..." He recalled the unusual respect and deference shown by the Executioner when he claimed he would kill him.

Please rest assured, Your Highness, after your unfortunate passing, I will take full responsibility to atone for the injustice you suffered here. Your secret will be buried, and your reputation will remain untarnished.

Finally, Thales recalled the relieved expression on Sackel's face as he smiled at his old friends and admitted his betrayal.

[The person who should truly bear the guilt of treason, yet despicably concealed the truth for eighteen years… that shameful, pathetic, hypocritical, disgusting, self-righteous, sanctimonious, two-faced fellow… that is me.]

The Knight of Punishment.

What kind of person are you?
"I understand, quick rope."

Thales spoke softly, his tone so calm that even he was surprised.

Like prey that has broken free of its restraints in an instant.

Quick rope raises eyebrows:

"Understand what?"

Thales shook his head at the rope and gently released his fist:

"Running away is useless."

"Because it started a long time ago..."

Thales looked at the distraught Barney and Naki, and then at Sackel slowly approaching, his words carrying a double meaning:
"Then we will have nowhere to escape."

Quick rope was taken aback, his face full of doubt.

After saying this, Thales made up his mind and felt a sense of relief.

He should do that.

He must do it.

The next second, to the astonishment of the rope, Thales took a step forward toward Sacel.

"Is this what you wanted?"

The boy's voice echoed in the dungeon.

The Knight of Punishment paused in his tracks.

All eyes were on the prince.

"Bury all the filth and pain in the past and underground, pretend that nothing happened, and tell yourself that this is the best choice?"

Thales, panting, broke free from the rope's grip, ignoring Belletti's expression, and, enduring the pain, continued:

"If I die here, will your responsibilities, your past, their torment, their suffering... all of that will end then?"

Thales stretched out his fingers and ran them over each of the guard prisoners, whether they were in pain, collapsing, or dazed.

Sacel met Thales's resolute gaze and paused, bewildered.

He opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately let out a soft sigh.

"You don't understand, Your Highness."

The knight closed his eyes and shook his head.

Thales took a deep breath and glanced at everyone.

Barney was still in a state of collapse and disorientation, Naki was still twitching slightly, and Sackel in front of them was weak and listless, with a sorrowful expression.

"Do not."

"But there's only one thing I don't understand."

Thales turned his head sharply, clenching his teeth!

"who is it?"

Sakel's brow twitched:
"what?"

Then Thales, with an unusually firm and unwavering tone, said decisively:
"Who exactly is behind you?"

Who's behind it?

Upon hearing this, everyone frowned.

Sacel twitched the corner of his mouth, seemingly unwilling to pay any attention.

But what Thales said next greatly surprised him:

"I haven't known you for very long, but..."

Thales slowly turned his gaze:
“Naki may value his family more, but he can’t just stand by and watch you take the blame for his crimes…”

Naki's shoulders twitched violently.

Thales turned to the other side:
“Cannon, Brie, Tardin, you may have been in the know back then, but you have never been at peace with yourselves, so much so that even after being imprisoned for eighteen years, you are still tormented by your conscience.”

Cannon's sobbing stopped, Bri stopped trembling, and Tardin froze.

Thales glanced one last time at the dazed little Barney:
“I don’t know Barney, but I can tell from him that his father was probably just as stubborn and determined, once he had a thought, he would stick to it and never waver in his life.”

Sakel's brow furrowed more and more.

Thales exhaled, using the sin of the River of Hell to calm his increasingly rapid heartbeat.

“I do not see the despicable and base nature of traitors in you people.”

The prince said resolutely:

"It is a painful dilemma where one cannot advance or retreat."

Everyone looked up, their eyes wide with shock or confusion, staring at Thales.

Sakel suddenly stepped forward!
But Belletti and Nee blocked his way, seemingly determined to take him down with them.

Thales was startled, but he still braced himself and said the following:
“I believe that as members of the royal guard and close advisors to the king, no matter how depraved, evil, or selfish you may be, you could never betray your pride and seek glory away from the Lord with a clear conscience.”

“You are not that kind of people; you neither dare nor can you.”

The prince gritted his teeth and said:
"Unless there is another reason, a more logical reason, that convinces you that doing this is the right thing to do, and not betrayal!"

Sacel's face grew increasingly grim.

Thales knew he had made the right choice.

Ignoring the quick rope's glare, the prince straightened his chest and continued:
"As for you, Saxeel, you are a noble knight, a loyal guardian, and even though you are about to attack me, you still treat me with such respect..."

"I think the only thing that could tarnish your honor and mission is an even higher honor and mission."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sackel shuddered.

"What kind of mission could make you betray Canxing without hesitation?"

Everyone's expression slowly changed.

Thales coldly replied:
"unless……"

The Knight of Punishment could no longer remain calm; he roared:

"Your Highness!"

But Thales ignored him, and simply straightened his face, speaking with difficulty in the dim firelight:

"Both the Northerners and the Shadow Shield have given me hints, but I've always refused to believe them..."

Thales gritted his teeth and plunged Ricky's longsword into the crack between the ancient floor tiles.

"So tell me, Saxeel."

"who is it?"

Before Thales' eyes, Sacel's expression changed several times.

Thales continued:

"Back then, standing behind you desperate nobles, I used my noble status to bribe all sides, using the promise of saving your families as bait to incite you to lower your guard, plot the assassination of the incompetent king, and plan to clean up the mess afterwards and ascend the throne..."

The prince's eyes were sharp, his aura imposing, and he enunciated each word sharply:

"Which star is it?"

Thales' words echoed between the walls.

Half of the people were stunned.

"What...did you say?" Barney asked, shocked.

The other half—Naki and Cannon—turned pale, while Brie and Tardin turned their heads away.

In front of them, Sakel swayed violently, clutching his head in pain.

The silence lasted for several seconds.

For a moment, the only sound in the cell was Thales' own rapid breathing.

Until a trembling sound came:
"I see……"

“That’s why you want to bury the truth and shoulder the blame,” Samir said, his voice trembling slightly as he scanned everyone, his face showing shock and realization.
"That's why you keep quiet about it and the conflict continues to this day."

"Some may have been directly involved, while others may have only guessed the inside story, but that's why you all unanimously stopped—a equally orthodox star is backing you up?"

He took a step back, gasped for breath, and spoke with a cold, mocking laugh:
"No disaster, no anti-magic forces, none of those are excuses... This is the biggest scandal that the Starry Sky royal family can't really make public."

Samir's sword trembled slightly:

"How ridiculous... betrayal, loyalty, it's all bullshit..."

"The so-called Bloody Year, the nightmare that tormented me for eighteen years, the assassinations and rebellions that the nobles kept silent about, was actually an internal affair of the Shining Star Royal Family..."

"Blood feud?"

Faced with his questioning, Sacel let out his longest sigh of the day, but the hand covering his forehead trembled even more violently.

Barney, with an incredulous look in his eyes, sat up again.

Thales remained silent, only letting out a soft breath.

Quick rope opened its mouth wide, unsure how to react.

Sacel kept his eyes closed, seemingly unable to answer.

Belletti and Nee looked at each other, their eyes filled with sorrow, pain, and a final trace of disbelief.

Samir smiled again.

His laughter was trembling and quite eerie.

"Hahahaha, let me guess..."

His gaze was complex and unfathomable, a mixture of inexplicable hatred and disdain:

"Is it Crown Prince Midil, who is fame-seeking, cunning, and yet directly benefits from the death of the late king?"

Samir suddenly looked up and said bitterly:
"Or perhaps it is the 'Sword of Light' Horace, a hero of great skill and countless battle achievements, but also tyrannical, bloodthirsty, and ambitious?"

"Is it Bancroft, the seemingly obese and mediocre man who is actually a pleasure-seeker and a greedy swindler?"

"Is she Hyman, a 'beauty' with only a pretty face and literary talent, but a narrow-minded, ruthless, and vicious heart?"

Samir's choice of words made Thales frown.

He had heard King Kessel recount these princes in the Starry Night Tomb, but…

He was fame-seeking, violent, bloodthirsty, greedy, and ruthless.

These descriptions...

Samir took a breath and continued:
"Still the Duke of Starlake, John, who commands the army and is in his prime, but according to the order of seniority, as long as the lineage of the late king's children does not die out, he will never have a chance to ascend the throne?"

Thales' heart skipped a beat.

Previously, Marina of the Sword of Calamity recalled her request.

In the absolute silence, Samir roared in fury:

"Was it a son killing his father, or a brother killing his brother?"

No one answered him.

Including the already crumbling Sacel.

"Or to be even more vicious, perhaps it's that 'Iron-fisted King'—Kaiser—who, after the deed was done, mercilessly swept you, me, and all of us, whether we knew or not, into the dustbin of history, while he himself sat on the throne enjoying everything?"

Samir seemed quite provoked by this truth. Looking at the silent crowd, he raised his voice and sneered:

"Don't tell me it's that idiot princess Constance who was diagnosed with intellectual disability from a young age?"

Unemployment marked the beginning of a period of turmoil.

Financial difficulties and destitution.

I hope I can get through this.



(End of this chapter)